INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 92, Rollins College 77
Records: Florida Tech (8-1, 3-0 SSC) | Rollins College (5-4, 0-3 SSC)
Location: Alfond Sports Center | Winter Park, Fla.

FIRST HALF: 

• For the second game in a row, Sean Houpt got the Panthers going by knocking down a 3 to open the scoring. 
• Rollins used an 11-4 run to jump ahead by four following a 3 by Hutton Yenor with 15:28 to go in the first half. 
• Panthers answered with a 16-5 run to grab a 23-16 advantage on a dunk by Mekhii Noble off an assist from Sesan Russell with 11:06 remaining.    
• Back-to-back 3s by Russell gave the Panthers a 29-19 lead with 9:10 to go.
• Tech built its lead to 42-27 with 5:48 left on Houpt's second made 3 of the half.
• With 50 seconds to go, Runako Ziegler knocked a 3 to put the Panthers up 49-33. Tech carried that lead into halftime. 
• Panthers were firing on all cylinders in the first half as they made 57.6% (19-33) from the field, including 47.1% (8-17) beyond the arc, and 3-3 at the free throw line. 

 
SECOND HALF: 

• Just like the first half, Houpt opened the second half scoring make behind the arc to push Tech's lead to 52-33. 
• Houpt then accounted for 8 straight points, including a pair of 3s, to increase the margin to 60-38 with 16:52 to go. 
• Tars went on a 14-5 run to cut the Panthers' lead to 65-52 with 11:36 remaining.
• Houpt scored 9 consecutive points for Tech, all from 3, to increase the advantage back to 18, 74-56, with 8:05 to go. 
• A second-chance jumper by Russell from the paint gave Tech a 76-59 lead with 5:57 to go. The bucket gave Russell his 1,001st career point.
• Panthers would lead by double-figures the rest of the ball game to earn their 8th win in a row and improve to 3-0 in SSC play this season. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Sean Houpt set a career-high with 32 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 1 block on 10-15 shooting, including 8-13 beyond the arc, and 4-4 on free throws.
• Mekhii Noble recorded his 9th double-double of the season on 20 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block on 9-14 shooting and 2-3 from the line. 
• Sesan Russell added 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals on 6-14 from the field, 3-8 beyond the arc and 2-2 on free throws. 
• Niall Harris had 11 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal on 3-6 shooting, including 2-3 from three, and 3-6 on free throws.
   

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech finished the game shooting 50.8% (31-61) from the field, including 48.3% (14-29) from three, and 76.2% (16-21) at the line.
• Rollins made 43.3% (29-67) of its shots in the game, 30.6% (11-36) beyond the arc and 61.5% (8-13) on free throws. 
• Panthers finished with an advantage in rebounding (39-34), assists (18-14), bench scoring (18-8), and fast break points (12-6).
• Tech scored 17 points off Rollins' 12 turnovers in the game.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• This is the first time since 1996-97 that Florida Tech has started 3-0 in SSC play. 
• Florida Tech's 8-game win streak is the longest since the Panthers won 9 in a row during the 2012-13 season. 
• The win ends the Panthers' 3-game losing streak to Rollins dating back to the Tars dating back to the 2018-19 season.
• Sesan Russell posted a pair of career accolades in the game, recording his 1,000th career point and 100th career steal. He is the 12th player in program history to achieve both feats.
• Sean Houpt's 8 made threes are tied for 6th most in a game in program history. 

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will take a week off before resuming SSC play next Saturday, Dec. 11, as the Panthers travel to Fort Lauderdale to take on No. 6 Nova Southeastern. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. at Rick Case Arena. 
 
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech men's basketball team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.